# Lowering the Barrier to Robot Deployment

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2022-09-27
- Length: 43m
- Episode: 121
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-fda8dd8f-bebd-41a6-83c5-407fc2b9cd39

## Summary

Fady Saad and Mark Martin, General Partners at Cybernetix Ventures and Co-Founder of MassRobotics, discuss how advancements in robotics and AI are lowering deployment barriers for manufacturers. They highlight the shift from fixed production lines to 'mass production in quantities of one' enabled by cobots, AMRs, and no-code programming. The guests argue that automation is now a necessity due to labor shortages and supply chain pressures, urging manufacturers to collaborate with startups rather than treating them as simple vendors. They also note that economic downturns often accelerate robotics adoption as companies seek efficiency and cost reduction.

## Chapters

- [0:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=54) Introduction: Fady Saad and Mark Martin on Cybernetix and MassRobotics
- [4:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=247) Cybernetix Ventures Strategy and MassRobotics Infrastructure
- [10:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=639) The Shift to Mass Production in Quantities of One and Smart Machines
- [14:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=884) Key Technology Advances: Cobots, AMRs, and Soft Robotics
- [23:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=1388) Overcoming Fear of Change and Launching Pilots
- [28:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=1705) Labor Shortages, Reshoring, and the Necessity of Automation
- [36:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment#t=2209) Economic Downturns and the Opportunity for Robotics Investment

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Cybernetix Ventures (company)
- MassRobotics (company)
- Universal Robots (product)
- Teradine (company)
- Amazon Robotics (company)
- Locust Robotics (company)
- Soft Robotics (company)
- Right Hand Robotics (company)
- Dexterity (company)
- South Autonomy (company)
- Tutor (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- ABB (company)
- Fanuc (company)
- Honda (company)
- Tubishi Electric (company)
- Thomas H. Lee (company)
- Gowan (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [BONUS: A Look Inside the 2022 A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-02-22-bonus-a-look-inside-the-2022-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Reimagining and Investing in Legacy Industries with Obvious Ventures’ Nan Li](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-11-30-reimagining-and-investing-in-legacy-industries-with-obvious-ventures-nan-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [243: Inside Automate 2025: Robotics, Automation Trends, and Expert Insights from Automate LIVE](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-07-01-243-inside-automate-2025-robotics-automation-trends-and-expert-insights-from-aut) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Episode 142: Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray) (Robot Talk)
- [276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-24-276-2026-automation-industry-outlook-live-from-the-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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